Doughty indicted on murder, rape charges

SPARTANBURG COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICEMurder suspect Wes Doughty is pictured in a booking photograph.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

PEABODY — An Essex County grand jury handed up indictments Tuesday in connection with the killing of a Peabody couple.

Mark Greenlaw, 37, died after he was shot in the head. His fiancee, Jennifer O’Connor, 40, was killed after she was stabbed in her neck and torso. The killings happened on or about Feb. 17 at 19 Farm Ave.

Wes Doughty, 39, was indicted for two counts of murder and one count each of rape, attempted arson, carjacking, kidnapping and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

In addition to the killings, Doughty is accused of raping O’Connor, taking steps to set the Farm Avenue house on fire, and with the armed carjacking of Kenneth Metz, 64, in Middleton days later while on the run.

http://www.itemlive.com/news/carjack-victim-murder-suspect-confessed/

Metz told reporters that Doughty confessed to the double homicide during the carjacking, saying he killed the couple because they had given heroin to his godfather. Authorities have not released a motive.

Doughty was apprehended Feb. 24 in South Carolina after a week on the run. He was arrested after being questioned for panhandling. Investigators who approached Doughty learned he was wanted for a double homicide in Peabody and carjacking in Boston.

His co-defendant, Michael Hebb, 45, was indicted for two counts of accessory after the fact and one count of attempted arson. The murder charges he was arraigned on Feb. 21 in Peabody District Court will be dismissed.